Q: What is Amazon Webstore?
A: Amazon Webstore is a comprehensive, full-featured eCommerce product that enables companies of all sizes to build and operate an eCommerce business. Amazon Webstore manages every aspect of running an eCommerce business from design and merchandising, to catalog and inventory management, to checkout and payment processing with fraud protection. It uniquely combines a comprehensive tool-set for fast design and implementation, with full flexibility and control of branding, design, merchandising and customer experience. Amazon Webstore also enables companies to deliver a personalized, cross-channel experience with applications for website, store and phone ordering, and customer service, and provides a single interface for unified management and visibility across all channels. Webstore incorporates Amazon's eCommerce expertise for ongoing success, easily integrates with other Amazon services like Selling on Amazon and Fulfillment by Amazon, and leverages the strength, security and reliability of Amazon's infrastructure.
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Q: How is Amazon Webstore different than Webstore By Amazon?
A: This new generation of Amazon Webstore gives you more control over the design and operation of your eCommerce business, integrated multi-channel applications for store and phone ordering and customer service, and new capabilities to help grow sales faster. It is much easier to load product data and start selling online, and you can now sell in more categories. Several new features help drive more traffic and increase conversion, such as mini detail page, high up sell cart, branded check out pipeline, guest check out and product image zoom. Most importantly, the Amazon Selling Coach provides expert eCommerce advice to help grow sales.
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Q: What is Webstore on Facebook?
A: The Amazon Webstore on Facebook is a beta service that allows Facebook users to shop for products through Facebook fan pages. How does it work? While on Facebook, buyers identify and choose the product(s) they wish to purchase on the SAFE and SECURE Facebook Shop Now page, powered by Amazon Webstore, an Amazon Services product. Buyers are then directed to the sellers existing Amazon Webstore to checkout and order products. Buyers without an Amazon account, can set one up during checkout. This capability is currently available as a beta platform feature, you can sign up to learn more or contact a solution provider for additional ideas on using our API's to power your Webstore. Learn more about MTV Jersey Shore Webstore on Facebook
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Q: Can Amazon Webstore power a large eCommerce Website that has thousands of products and generates millions of dollars in sales?
A: Yes, Amazon Webstore delivers the rich features and design flexibility necessary to build and operate sophisticated, high volume websites, and uniquely provides the integrated applications for store and phone ordering, and customer service, that are key to large companies' ability to deliver a personalized, cross-channel customer experience. Amazon Webstore is built on Amazon's highly secure, reliable and scalable infrastructure and allows sellers to confidently manage high volume traffic, spikes in traffic, orders and catalog size.
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Q: How much does Amazon Webstore cost?
A: Amazon Webstore is a low-cost, low-risk offering that does not require you to sacrifice features or performance. Amazon is committed to your success, and WebStore's low pricing structure easily scales with your business, has zero startup costs and no ongoing maintenance fees. Additionally, you can lower your Webstore fees through selecting bundle options which provide greater value and capability to drive your eCommerce business. You do not have to commit to a minimum term and can cancel at anytime. For more information, see Pricing.
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Q: Can I cancel an Amazon Webstore contract at anytime?
A: Yes. There are no long term commitments when using Webstore. If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with what Webstore is delivering for your business, you can cancel your subscription at anytime.
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Q: How do I get started?
A: To get started, simply register online by clicking on the link below. Amazon WebStore's new simplified registration process will help you start building an eCommerce Website within minutes. After registration, you will begin walking through a step-by-step, comprehensive wizard that helps you kick start your storefront design using templates, add products to your catalog, and set key account information. You can choose to do it yourself with the available self-service tools or request the assistance of a third-party solution provider. To sign up for Webstore, or learn more about solution providers click here. If you are a larger, experienced seller (online sales greater than $1M/year) needing more information, you can contact us here.
Q: What technical support is included with my account?
A: Amazon Webstore includes 24x7 email and telephone support from registration to ongoing operation of your Webstore.
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Q: How is Amazon Webstore different than Selling on Amazon?
A: With Amazon Webstore, you have control over the branding and operation of your own website, store and phone ordering, and customer service applications. With Selling on Amazon, you are making your products available for sale on the Amazon.com website. Amazon.com's large volume of customer traffic makes this a great channel for additional sales that the majority of our sellers use in addition to their own branded Webstore. Separate fees apply to sales on the Selling on Amazon program. Learn more .
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Q: What is the difference between Checkout by Amazon and Amazon Webstore?
A: Checkout by Amazon (CBA) is a checkout and payments processing solution that eCommerce retailers can use on any website, including on Amazon Webstore. Amazon Webstore is a complete product for building, managing and operating a multichannel eCommerce business. Payment processing and fraud protection services are integrated into Amazon Webstore, and do not require any additional setup. CBA is also seamlessly integrated as an additional checkout option. See Pricing for more information on fees for payment and fraud services and see the Checkout by Amazon page for additional checkout options.
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Q: Do I need technical expertise to use Amazon Webstore?
A: No. Amazon Webstore has been specifically designed to be used by anyone. Business users will enjoy the unified tool set with inline help and extensive tutorials. Amazon has a team of user experience professionals that are constantly reviewing and improving all aspects of the user experience to ensure that initial setup to ongoing management of Webstore is powerful and comprehensive. If you need help, just ask. Amazon Webstore experts are standing by to help you over the phone or by email.
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Q: If I have an existing website using Webstore by Amazon, can I upgrade to the new Amazon Webstore?
A: Yes, you can upgrade to the new Amazon Webstore. You will need to register using the registration and setup wizards that will guide you through the process of creating your new Webstore. We provide an upgrade task list and tools to help move your data and settings to your new Amazon Webstore.
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Q: Does Webstore support the Amazon Prime on Your Site program?
A: Yes, Webstore is seamlessly integrated with Amazon Prime on Your Site. As a Webstore seller, you can now offer Amazon Prime members free Two-Day shipping for any eligible item you are fulfilling through Fulfillment by Amazon. This program can help you increase conversion on your site and build your brand loyalty with Amazon Prime members. Learn more about Amazon Prime on Your Site for Webstore.
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Q: If I am new to eCommerce, what does Amazon Webstore offer to prepare me to sell online?
A: If you are new to selling online, Amazon Webstore can help. Webstore has inline help, extensive tutorials and a knowledgeable support team to help you. It is fast to start selling on Webstore. Amazon Webstore also has a network of 3rd party solution providers that can help you with anything from loading products online to customizing the Webstore design and digital marketing. A referral request form is available in the Seller Central administration.
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Q: How can Amazon Webstore help me sell more?
A: Amazon Webstore incorporates Amazon's proven eCommerce expertise, and makes valuable features available for use, such as high upsell cart, mini-cart, personalization and best sellers. In addition, Webstore provides an integrated Amazon Selling Coach which provides ongoing advice on how to grow your business including augmenting your catalog, improving product pages for conversion, and leveraging new traffic driving features. These algorithmic coaching tips are presented to you in the Webstore administration console, with steps to accept and apply the recommended feature. Additionally, Webstore provides rich applications for store and phone ordering to enable cross-channel commerce, and integrated customer service for a rich, personalized customer experience. You can also leverage Selling on Amazon as an additional channel, and manage your offers and inventory across Webstore and Amazon.com through a single, unified interface.
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Q: How can I drive traffic to my Webstore?
A: Amazon Webstore helps drive traffic to your website by leveraging built in integrations with popular free comparison shopping engines (e.g., Google Product Search) that make attracting new customers automatic. Amazon has optimized Webstore for search engines to ensure your products can be readily found by customers searching the Internet using the most popular search engines. Webstore automatically submits site maps to Google, Yahoo and MSN, and enables you to customize meta tags and page content for better search engine optimization so that your products can be found and indexed by search engines spiders or robots. Webstore also allows you to easily integrate with advertising programs like Commission Junction or LinkShare. Built in integration with Google Analytics or Omniture SiteCatalyst (at this time you must have your own account with Google Analytics or Omniture SiteCatalyst, and additional fees apply) enables you to track trends in your marketing activities and make changes to improve conversion.
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Q: Can I use Fulfillment by Amazon with Amazon Webstore?
A: Yes, the products in your Amazon Webstore can instantly be made available for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) (subject to certain restrictions). With FBA, you store your products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Learn More.
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Q: Can I use Checkout by Amazon with Amazon Webstore?
A: Yes. The Checkout by Amazon (CBA) service is included with Amazon Webstore and can be selected as a checkout option during store setup. CBA is an additional payment processing and fraud protection service option for sellers choosing the Your Webstore Checkout option. Sellers who choose the Amazon Checkout option get a co-branded order checkout inclusive of store logo. Both Your Webstore Checkout + CBA or the Amazon Checkout options leverage the same payment technology utilized by Amazon.com and the Amazon A-to-z Guarantee will apply to purchases made using either of these checkout options. See the Checkout by Amazon page for more information on Checkout by Amazon and other checkout options.
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Q: Do my customers require an Amazon.com account to checkout of my Amazon Webstore?
A: No. Your customers are not required to checkout using an Amazon.com account. Amazon Webstore offers you the option to select whether your customers create accounts specific to your ecommerce business (referred to as Amazon Webstore Accounts) or to select whether to leverage Amazon.com accounts, allowing tens of millions of Amazon customers to readily use their Amazon.com credentials to checkout on your Webstore. During the initial configuration process, you will have the option to select which account type best meets the needs of your business.
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Q: What is an Amazon Webstore Account?
A: If you choose to use Amazon Webstore Account type, the customers will need to create an account unique to your site. You can also use your own branding on the check out pages. Customers cannot use their Amazon.com credentials on your site or credentials from your Webstore for shopping on Amazon.com. Once you have chosen your account type, it cannot be changed.
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Q: What is an Amazon.com Account?
A: If you choose to use Amazon.com Accounts for your Webstore, any customers who have an existing Amazon.com account can purchase products from your Webstore by using their Amazon.com credentials. If you choose Amazon.com accounts, you can allow tens of millions of Amazon customers to readily use their Amazon.com credentials to checkout on your Webstore. Customers who don't have an existing Amazon.com account can also sign-up for an Amazon.com account in your Webstore and use those credentials for future purchases in your store as well as on Amazon.com. Once you have chosen your account type, it cannot be changed.
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Q: Is there a centralized administration environment for my Amazon Webstore?
A: Amazon Webstore provides you a single, unified interface to manage your design, catalog, inventory, orders and ongoing administration. This "Seller Central" environment also allows you to manage other Amazon Services you may utilize, including Selling on Amazon and Fulfillment by Amazon.
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Q: How do I choose a domain name and point it to my Amazon Webstore?
A: With Amazon Webstore you can use an existing domain name or register a new one at any accredited domain registrar. We do provide domain registrar recommendations within your Seller Central administration. Once you have a domain name, you simply follow the directions in Seller Central to direct your domain name to your Website. If you choose not to point a domain name, Amazon Webstore will assign an Amazon sub domain to your Website (e.g., [yourwebsitedomainhere].webstorepowered.com).
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Q: How do I design and customize my Amazon Webstore?
A: Amazon Webstore design tools allow business users to make professional websites that are uniquely branded and fully customized, yet cost less than those one-size fits all eCommerce products. Business users can create customized website experiences for their customers with drag and drop tools for page editing, merchandising and site-wide design changes. There is a library of templates to choose from, with inline help and extensive tutorials to help you get started. Webstore has a network of 3rd party solution providers that we can refer you to, to help with customizing the Webstore design. A referral request form is available in the Seller Central administration.
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Q: How do I add products and manage inventory on my Amazon Webstore?
A: Amazon Webstore allows you to add products through the "Inventory" tab in the Seller Central administration using either an "Add a Product" form or a flat-file feed to upload a large number of products.
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Q: How do I manage orders on my Amazon Webstore?
A: Orders are automatically listed and managed through the "Orders" tab in the Seller Central administration. You can also run various order reports based on a time period and whether or not an order has shipped.
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Q: How do I accept payments on my Amazon Webstore?
A: Payment processing is built-in to Amazon Webstore and there is no need to acquire an external merchant account or payment processing software such as a payment gateway. Payments are collected when you ship your items. You can run a number of payment reports from the "Reports" tab in the Seller Central administration.
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Q: Is Amazon Webstore secure?
A: Amazon Webstore is hosted on the same infrastructure that hosts Amazon.com. We leverage the latest security technology including a dedicated, VeriSign secure socket layer (SSL) certificate for each Amazon Webstore to ensure all sensitive customer and payment data is encrypted.
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Q: Will my Amazon Webstore be protected from fraudulent orders?
A: When you first set-up your Amazon Webstore you can choose a feature called Amazon.com Accounts to allow tens of millions of existing Amazon customer to shop and purchase from your Webstore. By selecting this account type, we protect both the customer and your business from fraud with the Amazon A-to-z Guarantee (some restrictions apply). If you choose Amazon Webstore Accounts, by which your customers register an account specific to your Webstore, the A-to-z Guarantee does not apply; however, you will continue to benefit from the fraud protection services associated with payment processing.
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Q: Are there restrictions on what products I can sell on my Amazon Webstore?
A: Yes. Certain products are restricted based upon state and federal laws, such as firearms and livestock. The Amazon Webstore Business Solutions Agreement provides details on product restrictions. Learn More
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Q: Can I sell on other marketplaces such as eBay and Yahoo Shopping?
A: Yes, with Amazon Webstore you are free to sell on any online channel you choose including other marketplaces, shopping comparison sites and search engines.
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Q: What if I want greater customization of my Amazon Webstore?
A: Amazon Webstore does not require technical expertise to build a professional and uniquely branded website. However, for greater sophistication in design, Webstore provides a rich set of tools, such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), that can be edited to provide a unique look and feel applied across the website. There are numerous widgets available in a template manager that allows you to add custom features, including those built with HTML and Flash. Amazon Webstore also supports development using Java script for even richer site functionality. Webstore has a network of 3rd party solution providers that we can refer you to, to help with customizing the Webstore design. A referral request form is available in the Seller Central administration.
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Q: Can Amazon Webstore integrate with other applications such as accounting or order management?
A: Yes, reports from your Webstore can be exported in a standard format such as .CSV to third party applications.
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Q: Do I need to provide my own website hosting?
A: No. Amazon provides hosting services for no additional cost.
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Q: Do I have to upgrade software with each new release of Amazon Webstore?
A: No. As a hosted software solution, you will not have to process or manage upgrades. New features and functionality will regularly become available for you to utilize and deploy for your eCommerce business.
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Q: Can I have a third-party company build and/or manage my store?
A: Yes. Amazon Webstore has a network of 3rd party solution providers that we can refer you to, to help with anything from loading products online to customizing the Webstore design and digital marketing. A referral request form is available in the Seller Central administration.
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